Gerbils are intelligent animals. Having taken care of various animals, Im surprised to see that a gerbil distinct itself from many other animals.
The best difference is that they are not dominantly nocturnal animals.
You are less likely to be awoken by a screeching running wheel while you are sleeping at night. They will go to sleep with you.
The best difference is that they are not dominantly nocturnal animals.
You are less likely to be awoken by a screeching running wheel while you are sleeping at night. They will go to sleep with you.
Day 6 - Strength increase and milk drinking
10th December.
Starting today, the pup's squeals become more predictable. Once in the morning, once around later afternoon, and one around 8-9pm.
6 days in, what is most noticable is:
1) the amount of strength these pups get over night. Maybe not too evident on camera, but when handling them or putting my hand as an obstacle to them, the pups can be felt to kick themselves forward with a good amount of strength.
2) this is really funny. It has been happening since the first day. If the mother runs off half way while feeding, the pups will continue sucking for milk, and will be dragged mercilessly across the bedding for a certain distance. If they let go (I believe through observation, the main thing clinging on from pup to mum is their mouth) they will just fall off. But if they continue sucking, they will be dragged continuously by the moving mother. This is not observed between pups and father.
Starting today, the pup's squeals become more predictable. Once in the morning, once around later afternoon, and one around 8-9pm.
6 days in, what is most noticable is:
1) the amount of strength these pups get over night. Maybe not too evident on camera, but when handling them or putting my hand as an obstacle to them, the pups can be felt to kick themselves forward with a good amount of strength.
2) this is really funny. It has been happening since the first day. If the mother runs off half way while feeding, the pups will continue sucking for milk, and will be dragged mercilessly across the bedding for a certain distance. If they let go (I believe through observation, the main thing clinging on from pup to mum is their mouth) they will just fall off. But if they continue sucking, they will be dragged continuously by the moving mother. This is not observed between pups and father.
Day 7 - We take a close look at a young pup. It's movement and sensory ecology.
11th December.
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Today is the 7th day. How much have the gerbils grown?
We check it out in this video. Indeed, a significant amount of growth! Note: 5.8cm measured accurately off camera. |
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If you are interested, this video shows a close up on one of the pup.
What is interesting it the movements the pup makes when it sleeps and sometimes wake up for the moment. Questions to ponder: Why do they move in jerky movements? Can they smell scent by now? To what extent do they detect a change in surroundings, and how do they react to it? |
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Day 8 - What? Have the gerbils become shiny?
12th December.
It's an amazing day each day when you wake up to see differences in the gerbils.
Fur growth in the agouti gerbils seem faster than the lighter coloured gerbils. This can also be because the lighter coloured fur is harder to be seen. But on a close up view, the lighter coloured gerbils don't really seem to have much fur yet.
The mouth of the gerbils have also opened, and the pups are now starting to move a little more around the tank. Do they know where they are venturing? If they were in their natural habitat, would they venture to the point they get lost since their eyes are not opened yet?
It's an amazing day each day when you wake up to see differences in the gerbils.
Fur growth in the agouti gerbils seem faster than the lighter coloured gerbils. This can also be because the lighter coloured fur is harder to be seen. But on a close up view, the lighter coloured gerbils don't really seem to have much fur yet.
The mouth of the gerbils have also opened, and the pups are now starting to move a little more around the tank. Do they know where they are venturing? If they were in their natural habitat, would they venture to the point they get lost since their eyes are not opened yet?
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Observations 1 week after birth.
- Fur starts to grow and can be seen clearly - shiny outlook for agouti pups. - Increased activity (movement beyond their sleeping area) - Movement is very unstable, keeps flipping about, flipping over while moving about - Mouth is fully opened for all gerbils - Nose is fully opened for all gerbils - Penile area area pokes out, unable to tell yet if female or male - Toes and fingers grow a little more distinct |
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Here we notice how the pups sleep and move individually. We can also note the difference between the agouti fur and skin comparing with the lighter colour siblings.
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Here we observe their sleeping habits when they bundle together.
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